Bad Bunny’s Yankee Stadium Concerts Showcased Latinx Pride

Bad Bunny has been on a roll, and it would not seem like he’ll be stopping to decelerate any time quickly. While his profession has been skyrocketing for the previous few years, this 12 months has been particularly vital. He’s turn out to be considered one of the most streamed artists and never simply in Latin or reggaeton music — however globally. And his newest album “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which we have all had on repeat since its drop, is proof of that. But should you want any additional proof of the influence the Puerto Rican artist has on NYC’s musical panorama and tradition, look no additional than the back-to-back live shows at Yankee Stadium that came about this previous weekend and have been a part of his “World’s Hottest Tour.”

Like many, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” has taken up quite a lot of area in my life. It’s normally a part of my each day album rotation and when I’m not really listening to it, I’m reminded of its magic consistently both by others expressing their love for it, memes, and merch. The present on Saturday, August twenty seventh opened with a DJ set from Diplo who bought the group hyped and energized earlier than Bad Bunny took the stage. The stage — like his album — was devoted to all issues summer season. Benito started his efficiency by enjoyable on a seaside chair earlier than singing “Moscow Mule,” which instantly resulted in a crowd full of individuals both elevating their telephones to report a narrative or elevating their Puerto Rican or Dominican flag. I even noticed some Yankee jerseys raised at one level. All of this to say, that this was a jammed pack stadium stuffed with largely proud Latinx New Yorkers. And if there’s one factor proud Latinx New Yorkers do is present the eff up. We confirmed up loud and proud, some alone, some with mates, some even with their Latinx households — abuelas, children, and all – however we confirmed up. We got here prepared for an excellent time but in addition able to embrace that tonight was going to be our evening.

Not solely did Bad Bunny showcase a killer efficiency himself however so did all of his visitor performers, together with Chencho Corleone, Jowell and Randy, Romeo Santos (king of bachata and the Bronx). Arcangel, and María Zardoya from the Marías. Each efficiency appeared to excite the viewers much more than the one earlier than it. But what actually made this present stand out in a manner I’m not used to seeing, is the best way it introduced us all collectively as a collective. For a second, it virtually felt like each Latinx in NYC was at that stadium — the orgullo was felt. And not simply by these of us on the precise present but in addition by of us all through the neighborhood. When I arrived at Yankee Stadium it appeared like each restaurant surrounding the stadium was performing some kind of Bad Bunny theme or particular. The streets have been stuffed with native Latinx Bad Bunny merch sellers and meals cart house owners. When I left the present a couple of minutes earlier than it really ended, in an effort to truly get myself an Uber again to Queens, I bumped into quite a few good friend teams and even households parked outdoors of the stadium. Many of them had seaside chairs, coolers, and snacks and have been dancing and listening to the music that you might hear from miles away.

It felt as if for the few hours that this present would run, each Latinx particular person on the present, parked outdoors of the stadium or working at their close by enterprise, had made the intentional resolution to grant themselves a number of hours of pleasure. Regardless, of what they may be experiencing of their lives, whether or not it is a monetary hardship, a household disaster, a well being difficulty, a job they’re dying to stop however really feel they cannot, work burnout, or no matter it could be, everybody in these few hours was going to permit themselves to not simply expertise however marinate in pleasure.

I do know for myself, even attending alone since I solely had one press cross and so could not convey a plus one, I rapidly considered my ancestors. I considered my bis abuelos and those earlier than them (those that by no means left the Dominican Republic), and the way proud would they be to see me celebrating with flooring seats on the live performance of the most well liked artist proper now. The hottest artist on this planet proper now who additionally occurs to be a reggaetonero from Puerto Rico, who was bagging groceries earlier than turning into a music artist and has refused to make music in English or that is digestible for white Americans. How proud would they be to see a stadium stuffed with flags that characterize virtually each nation in Latin America with a crowd of parents who refuse to assimilate or whitewash who they’re? As I regarded round I discovered myself smiling as I took the expertise all in. Here I used to be with a technology of Latinxs stuffed with delight, pleasure, and continuous Latinx orgullo.

I bought right into a swish argument with somebody a number of months in the past who tried to debate me on Bad Bunny’s relevance not simply as a music artist however on our tradition total. When he requested me which earlier icons I might evaluate Benito to, I rapidly stated Michael Jackson. Yes, it is a main comparability to make. I hear it. But I can also’t keep in mind the final time I’ve seen this many individuals the world over this excited over an artist. I have never actually seen it on this manner since MJ. Bad Bunny actually connects together with his followers and his group in a manner I have never witnessed in many years. And for a Latinx artist, seeing this type of world fame and appreciation would not simply convey us delight as a group however it provides us hope. It reminds us that despite the fact that we nonetheless have a really lengthy option to go in the case of racial and ethnic equality, we nonetheless have made some main strides. It reminds us of the ability we possess as a group and as a collective, and the magic we launch once we actually put our minds and our hearts in the direction of one thing.

On Sunday, August 28, Bad Bunny made an appearance at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards stay from his second Yankee Stadium efficiency, the place he carried out “Titi Me Pregunto” and accepted the award for artist of the 12 months. He made historical past as the primary non-English-language artist to win on this class. Did I point out his acceptance speech was totally in Spanish?

At the top of his Saturday efficiency, Benito held an enormous Puerto Rican flag and huddled collectively together with his stage dancers. I missed this as a result of as I discussed earlier, your lady wasn’t making an attempt to get stranded at Yankee Stadium with out an Uber for hours. But the next day I noticed of us posting the live performance finale on Instagram. With all the pieces presently occurring on this nation on the border and the corruption, modern colonialism, and gentrification happening on the island of Puerto Rico, waving that flag meant a lot extra than simply Puerto Rican delight. Holding that flag was a type of resistance. For many people, it serves to say Latinxs within the states aren’t going anyplace. We’re simply getting began.